How To Fix COM_PRCAT057 - Objects of this category already exist: Reference indicator cannot be set

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: COM_PRCAT - Product Category

• Message number: 057

• Message text: Objects of this category already exist: Reference indicator cannot be set

What causes this issue?

Objects of the category '&V1&' already exist, so the reference indicator
cannot be set for the assignment of the set type '&V2&' .

System Response

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

How to fix this error?

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message COM_PRCAT057 - Objects of this category already exist: Reference indicator cannot be set ?

  The SAP error message COM_PRCAT057 indicates that there is an attempt to set a reference indicator for an object in a category where objects of that category already exist. This typically occurs in the context of managing product categories or similar structures in SAP, particularly in the SAP Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) or SAP Material Management (MM) modules.
  Cause:
  The error is triggered when:
  
  You are trying to create or modify an object (like a material or a product) and set it as a reference object.
  There are already existing objects in the same category that do not have the reference indicator set.
  The system does not allow multiple objects in the same category to be marked as reference objects.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Existing Objects: 
  
  Review the existing objects in the category to see if any of them are already set as reference objects. You can do this by navigating to the relevant transaction or using reports that list objects in that category.
  
  
  
  Remove Reference Indicator:
  
  If there are existing objects that are not needed as reference objects, consider removing the reference indicator from those objects if applicable.
  
  
  
  Change Category:
  
  If it is necessary to set the reference indicator for the new object, consider using a different category that does not have existing objects marked as reference.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  Review the SAP documentation or help files related to the specific module you are working with to understand the rules governing reference indicators and object categories.
  
  
  
  Contact SAP Support:
  
  If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to SAP support or your internal SAP team for further assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Depending on the context, you may use transaction codes like MM01 (Create Material), MM02 (Change Material), or C223 (Change Product Category) to manage materials or products.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that might address this specific error or provide additional guidance.
  User Authorization: Ensure that you have the necessary authorizations to make changes to the objects in question.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and implement a solution to resolve it.